The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-02-05
LOTS CHOICE.
NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

Kill, I-l3i Golden Text. Matt. vi, 30
Critical and Practical Notes by samuel
Ives Curti-s, rh. d., ID. d., of Chicago
Introduction. went to Egypt ON
account of famine in Canaan. We learn
from other sources that the race of Shcmites
frequently went thithcr, and that many OF
them were dwelling in Egypt in the time OF
the patriarch. The narrative told of Abrams
visit there is said 10y Egyptian scholars 10 bc
true TO life down To the minutest details. II
was no idle fear that Abram entertained that
his wife might be taken from him, for in
Egyptian story we read Of a similar case,
The conduct of the patriarch in rcsorting to
falSchood to protect himself is indeed dark
stain ON his character: but we must rcmcnI-
Der that he had come out from heather
country, where the standard of morality was
very low. lie had no helps whatever IN his
surroundings. Moreover, Scripture doe, not
present the Old Testament patriarchS rs
model saints 1t exhibit, them rs they are
Noah in his drunkenness Gen tx, ~ and
Abram in his deception Gen. xii l&-aud it
shows how through Gods grace they and
men Ike them, who by nature are sinners.
are pardoucd and made heirs Of hi, promises.
TIE LESSON
Seeking first the kingdom Of God-Abram
recognizes the calling of God. He does not
remain in Egypt any longer than Is neccS-
sary. He went there on account IF tue
famine. AsSopn As it !, over he leaves the
country. He is under Gods direction. All
his jOuneyingS ART ordered by him. Under
such leadership, although he did not go 10
Egypt to get wealth, hr secures il From a
New Testament point Of view, he had sought
first the kingdom of God and his righteous
ness, and thcthingS which he did not seek, but
which men most earnestly desire, in the shape
of worldly prosperity were added. II would be
we'll if every one beginning life would deter.
mine to seek first the kingdom Of God, to
settle first the question rs to his Christian
hope. If God sees that man is likely to be
a good steward, after this question has be.n
settled, he can make him rich.
Abram journcyed unto the south after he
went up from Egypt; not that Ire took II
sOutherly course but that be went TO ths
lower part OF Canaan, which was called tho
south.
The House of God First Tvs. 3, $40 what
point do his eyes turn III his homewari jour
ney to his adopted countryf To an altar, to
the house of God. HIS first thought was not
how he might increase his possessions or find
the most pleasant spot in the land, but it WAS
the desire TO worship God in consecrated
place which attracted his footsteps He was
like David in his love of the place where God
was worshipti.
"There Abram called on the name Of the
Lord" That will be happy life that is he
gun in true religion That will Ire a prosper
Gus home that is set up in prayer. We may
all well say 10 the Lord at the beginning of
any new undertaking: III thy presence go
not with me, carry ur not up hence
The First Peacemaker ", 5j.-Not only arc
Gods servants often blessed in the acquisition
of prop, rty, hut also those who are with them.
for their sakes. Lot appears 70 have been
blessed ON Abrams account. I.aban was
blessed on account Of Jacob Gen xxx, ~ {;
Potiphar on account of Joseph Gen. xxx,
81.
vs.. O.. II was almost impossible to avoid
between the herdmen. In "A coun-
try like that of Canaan, where there is no
ram LOT ulullS Nt~'hN, anu WHERE WILLS HIo
scarce and very valuable, there were special
reasons for annoyance, and these were aggra-
waited by the presence Of the Cnnaanite and
PelriAtc in the land, who would require their
share Of pasture and water.
vs. \, O. The quarrel which began with tina
herdmen was likely 10 embitter the relations
between Abram and his nephew. He there
fore proposes that they should separate, and
is a model to all vino have dispute. Al
older, Abrum had tho right To Cher4, tho
better part Of the land for himself. As moro
powerful he could have easily enforced that
right; but he is determined u have 10 quar-
rel Because III the Semitic sens, OF the term
he and Lot are brethren. that is, near rela-
tveS, he is ready to yield what Is rightfully
his In this H. i, the first great I,elcemaker,
forbearanCr to people in this graopins az.
Lots Selfish Choic, Us. 10, IDIOT /, y
good example Of the lrople who arr always
for the best places, AMI who have
no regard for the right, of others II Carrying
out their selfish plans Lot saw ~" beautiful
plain of the Jordan, which llN h.io+o him
like the garlcn oi lie Lord. ike the land Of
Egypt, which they h,i Just left, possibly in
all the loyeliness OF eariy spring. IL was not
even courteous enough To suggest that his
uncle should take it He va, not grateful
enough 10 think that hi, uncle who had b'sen
his guardian, deserved it, and that every con
sderttiOn of honor and gratitude should have
led him to insist that Abram should choose
first. Thoroughly selfish, he was evidently
afraid 10 trust him 10 make the choice, ami
therefore, like "A far-Sishted man Of the world,
he take, the best for himself
vs.. L., r. Lot desired to ~ rich. He
therefore fell into snare Like - many
others. he does not seem Co have inquired
about the character of the people to "hom no
was going At That time ne probably had
young rhillrcu-slnughterS IL llI not ral-o
the question a. o. the Influences uUlrr which
they might b. thrown A New Testament
writer, on the contrary, tells us that Abyam
and the other patriarch, sought a city which
hath foundations, who~s builder and maker IS
God. They were content to dwell in tents:
but Lot dwelt III one city OF the plain after
another, removing his tent from place 10
place, until he reached SOdom According to
the revised version, no pitchei his tent as far
as Sodom The Sacrel writer casts dark
shadow on his ChOiCe-"NOw the men Of
Sod0m were wicked and sinners against the
Lord exceedingly" Lot, therefore, in choosing
wealth as tie most important thing III his
seltShneSS and his grc-Niinees to obtain it had
finally pitched his tent under the very walls